The B-52's were born from an impromptu jam session in 1976 between brother and sister Cindy and Ricky Wilson, Kate Pierson, Fred Schenider, and Keith Strickland. During their early days of performing live, the group considered alternative names, Tina-Trons and Fellini's Children, but ultimately settled on The B-52's, named for the particular beehive hairdo resembling the nose cone of the aircraft, which Pierson and Cindy Wilson wore in performances during the band's first decade.
They recorded their first single, Rock Lobster, in 1978, and this song quickly became an underground success. It would later be re-recorded, and released in Germany and the UK. When it became a number one hit in the latter area, the result was a sold out show at the Electric Ballroom.
The band would end up signing with Warner Brothers, and release their self titled debut in 1979. Led by yet another re-recorded version of Rock Lobster, the album would reach number three in Australia, while also producing Billboard Hot 100 hits in the USA. As noted in my prior post, the band was even sited as a favorite and inspiration for John Lennon.
Returning to the studio in 1980, they recorded and released their sophomore album, Wild Planet. This too proved to be successful, reaching number eighteen on the Billboard 200. The single, Private Idaho would become their second Billboard Hot 100 single.
They briefly collaborated with Keith Byrne of Talking Heads in 1981. However, things wouldn't come to fruition, with differences in opinion on the musical direction being sited as the reason. This prompted the band to instead release the 1982 EP, Mesopotamia.
While the lineup wouldn't change, the band themselves would shuffle roles, with Strickland stepping away from drums, and Pierson switching solely to vocals in the studio, while still remaining on keyboards when touring. The biggest change to 1983's Whammy would be the use of a drum machine, and a heavy experimentation of synthesizers.
Digging into the album myself, I could definitely hear the stylistic change from new wave surfer music to a more synthpop new wave sound. It's certainly an appropriate shift for the year in which it was released, but at the same time, lacks that certain distinction that made The B-52's what they were.
Oddly, the tune, Don't Worry, is probably my favorite from it, which is a shame, because since I own the CD pressing, I don't actually have this song in my library. As for the rest of the album, well, I didn't really hear anything that stood out.
As for The B-52's, sad times were brewing in the background. During the recording of Whammy, Ricky Wilson learned he had HIV. He confided only in Strickland, deciding to not tell anyone else, including his sister and other family members. Though he would contribute to the band's 1986 album, Bouncing Off The Satellites, he succumbed to the disease on October 12, 1985.
Boy, what a downer to end on.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS August 25, 1984 |
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